Young footballers in Katsina have been given an opportunity to showcase their talents before international scouts seeking players for professional football in Europe.

The opportunity arose during the four-day second edition of the Governor Dikko Radda Football Scouting Tournament held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

The tournament was organised by the Katsina Football Academy in collaboration with a Belarusian club, FC Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino.

Speaking after the event, Shamsuddeen Ibrahim-Makudawa, coordinator and director of Katsina Football Academy, expressed satisfaction with the players’ performance.

He explained that the aim was to discover, develop talented players and create opportunities for them to play professional football abroad.

Mr Ibrahim-Makudawa commended Mr Radda, coaches, technical officials and sports lovers for supporting youth and sports development in the state.

According to him, the four-day tournament attracted hundreds of young players who competed for a chance to secure professional contracts with the Belarusian club.

A member of the scouting team, Vladimir Bogdanou, said they came to Katsina to identify talented players who could join the Belarusian club.

Also, Hamza Hadi Mai-Dawa, a Katsina-born professional footballer based in Belarus, said he facilitated the scouts’ visit with support from the Katsina government.

Mr Mai-Dawa praised the players’ commitment and discipline, adding that 15 to 17 participants had been shortlisted for further assessment.

According to him, only the best among them will be offered opportunities to pursue professional football careers abroad.

He added that the tournament has raised hopes among many young footballers in Katsina of securing opportunities to play on the international stage.

(NAN)